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Published: February 7, 2021
Episode 147: Wire Taps—Is It Crazy to Turn Down HBS?
As applicants and candidates alike make their way through Round 2, our admissions experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown, continue to share MBA admissions advice in our latest podcast episode of Wire Taps. See which profiles from MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire they discuss below, then tune in. The first applicant is a veteran looking to progress in consulting: Another applicant likely faces some tough competition: Finally, the third profiled candidate wanted to check on his choices: Happy listening! Be sure to post to MBA ApplyWire or Read more
Published: January 31, 2021
Episode 146: Wire Taps—MIT Sloan or Wharton for Tech?
Our resident admissions experts, Alex Brown and Graham Richmond, weigh in on MBA application strategies and school choices in our latest podcast episode of Wire Taps. See which profiles from MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire they discuss below, then tune in. The first applicant is in private equity: Another applicant has a solid background and is looking ahead to next year: Finally, the third profiled candidate faces a tough choice: Happy listening! Be sure to post to MBA ApplyWire or MBA DecisionWire if you’d like Graham and Read more
Published: December 29, 2020
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Like all interviews this year, my team-based discussion was hosted on Zoom by two second-year Wharton students. As everyone logged onto the platform, we introduced ourselves and kept some light chatter. Once the interview officially kicked off, the two second-year students kept their video on and watched us carry out the TBD. The prompt was based on creating a new type of engagement program, and was a very easy discussion. Interviewees took turns introducing their prompt, and we came up with basically a mix and match of everyone’s ideas in the end. We also had to present, which we were Read more
Published: December 17, 2020
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Second-Year Student
The first interview was a team based discussion with 5 other applicants. There were 75% men and 25% women, myself included. The question discussed was how to plan the inauguration of a new building on the UPenn campus. What surprised me was that some candidates were completely silent and some completely dominated the conversation repeating unnecessary information. What also surprised me was how quickly we as a group made a consensus around the action plan for the prompt. The proctors watching did not intervene at all. My second interview was a phone call from a second-year student. The only question Read more
Published: December 15, 2020
Wharton MBA & Lauder Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Post-TBD, I had a 15-minute 1-on-1 interview with an Admissions Fellow in a separate Zoom link. It was very straightforward with only 2 questions: “Why MBA at Wharton?” and “What questions do you have for me?” For Lauder, it was a 30-minute Zoom call with another Admissions Fellow that was more conversational and less structured than the TBD. I was asked about my work background, international experience, career goals and motivation to pursue the dual-degree versus just Wharton by itself. Read more
Published: December 13, 2020
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Skype
Team Based Discussion: Received interview invite on October 28th along with the discussion prompt (not allowed to disclose details of the prompt). I scheduled my team discussion for mid-November. I studied the prompt and prepared a few ideas and my 1 minute pitch before the interview. I was able to join the Skype link for the team based discussion about 10 minutes early. Casually chatted with the other participants as they joined over the next few minutes. 2 adcoms joined the call promptly at the scheduled start time and gave us instructions (nothing new from what was described in the Read more
Published: December 12, 2020
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
TBD with introductions for 35 min followed by 1-1 for 10 min Why MBA? Why Wharton? Questions for interviewer? Read more
Published: December 11, 2020
Wharton MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
I logged into Zoom about 10 minutes before the interview and had some free time to chat with the five other students in my TBD group. I wore a suit and tie. One guy wore a button up with blazer. The women wore business formal. One guy was in his Navy working uniform. We got to know each other a bit, and then two second-year students introduced themselves and had us introduce ourselves in a designated order. They then read the prompt for the TBD, and we got busy. Each person gave his or her one-minute pitch, and then it Read more
Published: November 25, 2020
Wharton MBA Employment Report, Class of 2020: Strong Placement Amid Pandemic
The Wharton School has released its MBA Class of 2020 employment report, showcasing how its strengths in job placement and finance still stand even in the current climate of pandemic and economic recession. Read more
Published: November 18, 2020
Forté Foundation Report Reveals Women Holding Their Ground in MBA Programs
Women, disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic at work, are poised to be at the forefront of the coming recovery. The Forté Foundation has released a report indicating that, despite conditions that have widened the gender gap in the worldwide economy, enrollment of women in its member schools' MBA programs held its ground. Read more
Published: November 13, 2020
Wharton’s Team Based Discussion Interview Prompt 2020-2021
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is now interviewing applicants for the Class of 2023.  As many of our readers know, Wharton’s interview process centers on a ‘team-based discussion’ (TBD), during which a small group of 5-6 prospective students are brought together to present their thoughts on an assignment they have been given prior to the interview. The team must work together to share ideas and form consensus around the best path forward. This year’s prompt for the Team Based Discussion is as follows: “Creating an engaged, supportive alumni network is crucial to an Read more
Published: November 9, 2020
Real Humans of the Wharton School’s MBA Class of 2022
Great things happen in Philadelphia, including earning an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students, get to know some of the newest members of the leading business school. Read more
Published: November 2, 2020
Applicant Insights Workshop: Recap & Video
Clear Admit recently completed our fourth and final session of our Applicant Insight Essay Workshop Series, featuring an additional five of the world’s top business schools. The list includes, Berkeley Haas, Cornell Johnson, INSEAD, London Business School & UNC Kenan-Flagler. During the round table discussion, each school’s representatives dove deep into their essay topics, the reason they chose their respective question(s), and strategies on submitting effective responses for your application. The first event was hosted by Graham Richmond and panelists included Emily French Thomas, Director, Admissions at Columbia Business School;  Allison Read more
Published: October 27, 2020
Clear Admit’s Essay Insight Virtual Events Are Back!
Back by popular demand! We’re pleased to announce two more dates in our Application Insights Event Series, giving you direct access to – and advice from – decision-makers at leading MBA programs. These essay-focused workshop events will be offered on two dates – November 11th & November 18th – with multiple MBA programs being represented at each.  Both workshops will be hosted by Graham Richmond from the Clear Admit team and the webinar will begin at 12 p.m. EST. The event will begin with a roundtable discussion featuring all participating schools. This panel portion will cover the following topics: When Read more
Published: October 13, 2020
The Lauder MA/MBA Joint Degree Program: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the MBA
For prospective students looking to enter an MBA program, the University of Pennsylvania offers a unique option that expands the traditional master’s in business into a global learning experience, preparing graduates for enterprise in a diverse and connected world. The Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies two-year joint degree program (Lauder MA/MBA Joint Degree) offers an MBA from the Wharton School in concert with a master’s in international studies from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts & Sciences. Students pursuing a business degree receive more than the standard education in finance and management. In class Read more
Published: September 7, 2020
Wharton MBA Class Profile: The Class of 2022 Takes Shape Amid COVID-19
See the Wharton MBA Class of 2023 profile here. The Wharton School has released its MBA Class of 2022 profile. This year, the 916-member class is one of the largest in school history and came from the largest pool of applicants in a decade. Thanks in part to extended deadlines and relaxed testing requirements in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school received 7,158 applications, a 20 percent jump over the previous year. Read more
Published: August 24, 2020
You’re Invited to Clear Admit’s Application Insight Virtual Event – Essays
Clear Admit is giving you behind-the-scenes access to the top MBA programs you desire – specifically regarding tips on the admissions process – with some key advice directly from their admissions teams. Our first workshop will be all about Essays! This workshop will be offered on one final date – September 16th – with multiple programs being represented at the event.  The workshop will be hosted by Graham Richmond from the Clear Admit team and the webinar will begin at 12 p.m. EDT. The representatives from each school represented will start with a roundtable discussion on the following topics: 1) Read more
Published: August 20, 2020
Wharton MBA Program Shifts from Hybrid Model to Mostly Remote Learning for Fall 2020
In light of recent surges in Covid-19 cases in Philadelphia and around the U.S., the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School announced on Friday, July 31st, that the planned hybrid models in place since June were no longer viable. Instead, the fall semester will be conducted remotely, with a few exceptions. Read more
Published: July 13, 2020
Business Schools Begin to Announce Fall 2020 Plans
With ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, evolving government mandates, and public health concerns, many business schools are heading into the fall semester with contingency plans for the fluid situation they expect to face. Some MBA programs remain mum about what the fall semester might look like, but others have begun to let incoming students know what to expect. We’ve rounded up the latest communications from seven leading programs below. Flexibility and In-Person Options The Wharton School of Business has joined Harvard Business School and Chicago Booth in implementing a hybrid class model for the fall term Read more
Published: June 28, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Blair Mannix of the Wharton School
We continue our Admissions Director Q&A series with Blair Mannix, the Director of Admissions of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in Philadelphia.  In addition to rigorous quantitative training, Wharton MBA students enjoy an intimate learning environment due to the Learning Team and cohort structure. Students spend their first year divided into Learning Teams of approximately five to six students, and multiple teams are brought together to form cohorts of about 70 students. MBA candidates of the leading business school can also expect diverse career training—Wharton has made the lists of Clear Admit's "Best Business Schools for..." entrepreneurship, finance, healthcare and marketing. Read more
Published: June 8, 2020
Wharton HQ Developed as New Platform for Spring Welcome Weekend
For newly admitted MBA students, spring is a time to get to know their future campus and fellow classmates at Welcome Weekends. During these events, students as well as their spouses or partners convene on campus to begin building relationships and getting a feel for a school’s culture.  The coronavirus pandemic, however, has upended these in-person traditions this season.  In light of these circumstances, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania found a new online platform for their annual Spring Welcome Weekend: Wharton HQ. Wharton HQ is an expansive online hub for new admits to Read more
Published: June 3, 2020
Wharton Prism Fellowship Awards Leader in LGBTQIA+ Community
The Wharton School kicked off Pride Month by announcing the first recipient of their new Prism Fellowship, which is designated for an outstanding MBA student who is both a member of and demonstrates leadership in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.  The inaugural recipient of the Prism Fellowship is Colan Wang, who hails from Toronto and works as a business consultant at TD Wealth. Wharton MBA Admissions Director Blair Mannix says: “Colan is an exceptional student and one that we are so excited to be a member of the Class of Read more
Published: May 13, 2020
MBA Students Host Virtual Game Show to Raise Funds for Doctors Without Borders
Let’s get ready to… fundraaaaaaaise!  The MBA Battle Royale, a virtual game show featuring students from leading business schools, will raise funds for Doctors Without Borders this Saturday, May 16th at 8 p.m. EST.  Tickets are on sale now for $12, $25, $50 or however much more you’d like to donate—100 percent of proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders.  If you purchase a ticket, expect a link and password to the Zoom event shortly before it begins this weekend. Support Your School and Watch the Fun MBA Battle Royale Participation Tracker by LeverEdge Read more
Published: May 11, 2020
Celebrate our 100th Podcast Episode!
Tens of thousands of MBA hopefuls have tuned into Clear Admit’s various podcast episodes since our debut with the format in March of 2018. We proudly released our 100th podcast episode this week—another advice-packed edition of the series, Wire Taps.  Having reached this milestone, we’re taking a look at our top 10 most popular episodes and more. All-time Top 10 Podcast Episodes From admissions tips to adcom director interviews, the Clear Admit podcast covers a hefty range of content to support MBA applicants’ journeys to and through business Read more
Published: April 19, 2020
The Wharton Experience During COVID-19
The University of Pennsylvania’s campus is a beautiful one—there is even a strip that feels like it could be from Dead Poets Society. One of the perks of collegiate life while strolling through such settings is simply running into a classmate—not that you would necessarily wander off to read poetry together, but chance meetings could inspire new ideas, new experiences and even new friendships.  Now that campuses have been evacuated due to COVID-19, these “chance meetings” need to be initiated purposefully.  Below, we hear from Wharton MBA student, William Quadrino ’21, about how the Penn student Read more
UPenn / Wharton
Image of UPenn / Wharton
CLASS SIZE: 866
Women: 47%
MEAN GMAT: 732
MEAN GPA: 3.7
Livewire Decisionwire Interview Reports Essay Topic Analysis MBA Admissions Deadlines View Full Profile

MBA Applywire

8
December 20, 2024 5:17pm ET
Applying: Columbia, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Healthcare
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: Bain , BCG
GRE: 332
GPA: 3.5
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: Florida
Post MBA Location: Consulting
Notes:

25F, lgbtq, 3 years as a registered nurse. also have started working for an early stage VC in the past several months.
2
December 19, 2024 4:44pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Stanford GSB
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Insurance
Post-MBA Target Industry: Entrepreneurship
GRE: 318
GPA: 3.59
Years of Work Experience: 3.5
Location: Georgia
Post MBA Location: Southeast
Notes:

Looking to launch a tech startup post MBA, without any background in tech. Come from a quant heavy background and undergraduate coursework. I regularly attended admissions events, in person and online at my schools. I hope that focusing energy on my few top schools and spending a lot of time on essays will help me overcome the less than average test score (164 quant 154 verbal) and GPA.

Serial entrepreneur with a history of profitable small businesses. Was promoted twice in 3.5 years. Involved in many extracurricular activities in and outside of work. My background is very centered around financial services/insurance, is this a red flag for a pivot to Tech Entrepreneurship?

Transferred between two state schools in the southeast. School I graduated from is a top 25 undergrad business program. Obtained a few professionals designations post grad.
3
December 18, 2024 11:38am ET
Applying: Michigan / Ross, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Vanderbilt / Owen
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Held various positions in Finance and Accounting in a healthcare institution
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Other Companies: BCG , Deloitte , Other
GPA: 3.0
Years of Work Experience: 11
Location: International
Notes:

I am passionate about healthcare enhancing patient quality care. So exploring in that field is what I would love. Got a 72k scholarship from Vandy and named Forte Fellow. UNC 50k. I'm having a hard time deciding though my heart is leaning towards Owen
3
December 18, 2024 10:23am ET
Applying: Arizona State / W.P. Carey, Indiana / Kelley, Ohio State / Fisher
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Facility management
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting
GRE: 309
GPA: 2.8
Years of Work Experience: 3
Notes:

Graduate GPA -3.869
4
December 18, 2024 2:57am ET
Applying: IESE, INSEAD, MIT Sloan, U. Chicago Booth
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Engineering
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Undecided Companies: Amazon
GMAT: 690
GPA: 3.26
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: Chile
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MBA LiveWire

December 21, 2024 8:37am ET
Accepted to Duke / Fuqua
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 11, 2024
GMAT: 675
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
December 21, 2024 2:38am ET
Waitlisted at Duke / Fuqua
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 10, 2024
GPA: 3.27
GMAT: 760
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: CA
December 20, 2024 11:16pm ET
Accepted to Babson / Olin
Round: Round 1
Received via email on December 17, 2024
GPA: 3.9
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: South Asia
December 20, 2024 7:50pm ET
Accepted to Columbia
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on December 10, 2024
GMAT: 750
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: India
Note:

$100k scholarship
December 20, 2024 3:21pm ET
Accepted to Yale SOM
Round: Round 1
Received via email December 20, 2024
GPA: 4.0
GMAT: 750
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

100% scholarship
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